Type 1 diabetes happens when the 'islet' cells in the pancreas are damaged and they don't make enough insulin.

Why a person gets type 1 diabetes is complicated.

Partly it is due to the genes that the child got from his parents.

Then maybe the child gets an infection caused by a virus.

For a few people this infection triggers the body's immune system so that instead of attacking only germs, the immune system starts to attack normal, healthy body cells such as the ones that make insulin.

Even though a viral infection triggers the damage, you can't 'catch' diabetes and most children who have this infection do not get diabetes.

About 1 in every 1000 children in Australia has diabetes.

It usually starts between the ages of 5-12, but some children get it when they are very young, and sometimes it starts in people over 12.

Although the amount of insulin being made drops slowly, often a child becomes quite sick suddenly. When the family looks back they remember that the child has been:

feeling more tired than usual

feeling more thirsty

wanting to wee a lot, even having to get up in the night

losing weight.

Often a child will then get very sick, being weak and sleepy.

A doctor can do a simple blood test to see if this is diabetes. With treatment (using a drip to give the child lots of fluid), the child will feel well again quite quickly (usually within an hour or two).

If the test shows diabetes, then the right treatment will need to begin.

making sure that he eats his recess and lunch. [And you too of course]

not sharing sweet and sugary food with him. [It's not good for you or your teeth either.]

not telling everyone in the class about it. His teacher will know and your friend may not want other people to know.

encouraging him to join in sports and exercise because it is very good for him - and you too!

understanding that he may seem a bit tired or grumpy sometimes, when he is feeling a bit 'low'. [This means that he may need a glucose tablet, or jelly beans that your teacher probably has in her desk or at the school office.]

understanding that he needs to eat regular meals even if he's staying over at your place and you're having a computer game marathon.

But always remember it is your friend who is 'in charge' and he or she is the one who needs to decide how much help they want.

"I used to get angry sometimes and think that it's not fair. Then I just got used to having to manage diabetes and I just get on with my life." - Tom

"I play hockey a lot and I know that I need to have food with me in case I start feeling tired." - Scott.

"Once I was mad that I had to go to hospital and missed a friend's party but if the doctors didn't help me then I guess I would miss a lot more." - Kylie.

"I check my own levels now and use the 'pen'. It's easy and I'm in charge." Anon

"We had to give a talk to the class so I talked about diabetes and how I had to manage it. Some of the kids were amazed and some said that it was really cool that I could do the testing and stuff by myself." - Ty

Do you remember that we said there is another type of diabetes? Type 2 diabetes? Lots of older people have type 2 diabetes, and some of the reasons they get diabetes is because they are overweight and unfit. Keeping your weight under control and developing a habit of exercising as a child means that you are less likely to get this other type of diabetes.

Some kids get Type 2 diabetes - usually because they are very overweight.

These are some sites that have more information about diabetes and activities (eg camps and outings) for young people with diabetes and their families.

We've provided this information to help you to understand important things about staying healthy and happy. However, if you feel sick or unhappy, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up.